The present application is directed to the processing of a biological sample into its constituent components for use in ART and includes introducing a sample into a first volume disposed adjacent a second volume including buffer solution, wherein the first and second volumes are adapted for fluid communication therebetween, selectively separating the first volume from the second volume with a movable closure member disposed therebetween, wherein the step of selectively separating the first volume from the second volume includes moving the closure member so that a fluid communication aperture is formed by one or a combination of the closure member or the closure member in combination with the first and second volumes to allow fluid communication between the first volume and the second volume such that motile cells migrate from the sample in the first volume to the buffer solution in the second volume.

A temperature control device (2) comprises a number of active thermal sites (6) disposed at respective locations on a substrate (10), each comprising a heating element (13) for applying a variable amount of heat to a corresponding site of a medium and a thermal insulation layer (16) disposed between the heating element and the substrate. At least one passive thermal region (8) is disposed between the active thermal sites (6) on the substrate (10), each passive thermal region (8) comprising a thermal conduction layer (18) for conducting heat from a corresponding portion of the medium to the substrate (10). The thermal conduction layer (18) has a lower thermal resistance in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the substrate (10) than the thermal insulation layer (16). This enables precise control over both heating and cooling of individual sites in a flowing fluid, for example.

Provided is a container (10) including a base material (1) including a plurality of concave portions (2); a recognition unit (3) disposed on the base material and configured to recognize the base material; and a storage unit (4) disposed in a position other than a measurement region of the base material and configured to store information on biomaterials contained in the plurality of concave portions, wherein the recognition unit and the storage unit are allowed to correspond to each other.

The sample extraction support tool is placed on an extraction container having at least one well for accommodating a sample extracted from a test piece holding the sample in a microchannel provided therein with both ends open. The sample extraction support tool includes at least one test piece holding portion having an opening for guiding a sample extracted from the test piece to a bottom of the well and configured to hold the test piece at a position where the test piece is not in contact with the sample which is extracted from the test piece and is stored on the bottom of the well, and in a state where one end of the microchannel is directed to the bottom of the well.

A fluidic device includes: a first flow path in which two or more solutions are mixed; and a second circulation flow path in which a solution mixed in the first flow path is circulated and which has a capture part configured to capture a sample substance included in the solution and/or a detection part configured to detect a sample substance included in the solution.

Devices and methods for characterization of analyte mixtures are provided. Some methods described herein include performing enrichment steps on a device before expelling enriched analyte fractions from the device for subsequent analysis. Also included are devices for performing these enrichment steps.

A microfluidic device that reads a colloidal mixture and separates the colloids based upon size and shape. and in the case of polymer colloids such as DNA, it reads patterns of markers attached to DNA. The combination of different separated fractions and DNA markers (it mapping) constitutes the physical code.

Disclosed are high-throughput vessel supply systems and methods of supplying sample vessels, such as samples stored in test tubes. A system for supplying a plurality of individual vessels that each contains a sample is disclosed.

Disclosed are high-throughput vessel sorting systems and methods of sorting sample vessels, such as samples stored in test tubes. A system for sorting a plurality of individual vessels that each contains a sample is disclosed.

Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids, fluid components, and reactions are provided. In one aspect, such structures and methods can allow production of droplets of a precise volume, which can be stored/maintained at precise regions of the device. In another aspect, microfluidic structures and methods described herein are designed for containing and positioning components in an arrangement such that the components can be manipulated and then tracked even after manipulation. For example, cells may be constrained in an arrangement in microfluidic structures described herein to facilitate tracking during their growth and/or after they multiply.